While many people have been asking me on where to eat in Hong Kong, I am always left dumbfounded because of the many yummy food places in Hong Kong. I was left to ponder on how I can show to the world these places without getting too bore or draggy (hope i dont bore you). Hence i decided to split the reviews up and bring them to you in a more systematic way - this post will be based more on local Hong Kong eats (the 茶餐厅, the dim sum, the wonton noodles), many of those which you would have already heard off, while my next post will be on contemporary cafes that are slowly but surely gracing the scene of Hong Kong's food culture.
First and foremost, like hungrygowhere in singapore, the apps which will best serve you on the hunt for Hong Kong food places are:
1. Openrice Hong Kong
2. Google Maps
Yes. With the names of cafes/ restaurants and food places on hand, these two apps are the quintessential. With that, here are the 10 places to stuff yourself with good local Hong Kong eats.
1. Australia Dairy Co (3 Hands)
You'll probably be in and out in 15mins flat. This rowdy cafe with its famed rude service staff is where most singaporeans would visit the touch onto Hong Kong's soil. Much have been said about their scrambled eggs and toast but the only item i'll be here for is the steaming hot milk pudding. There's always comparison from another shop called Yee Shun, but i feel Yee Shun's pudding has that very pungent cow taste which turns me off. So my vote goes to Australia Dairy.
Australia Dairy Company
47-49 Parkes Street, Jordan
nearby MTR: Jordan
2. Capital Cafe (4Hands)
One of the better 茶餐厅 around, do try their famous truffle egg with toast. I feel that their milo and tea are different from elsewhere. It could be due to fresh milk being used to brew these beverages. Anway, I can't seem to understand why people will compliment the macaroni and ham. It is basically macaroni cooked in water and slices of ham are spread all over, no biggy.
Capital Cafe
Shop B1, Kwong Sang Hong Building
6 Heard Street, Wan Chai
nearby MTR: 10 mins walk from Wan Chai
3. Kam Wah Cafe (5Hands)
The Bo Luo Bao (Pineapple Bun) here is magic. I regret not staying close by to enjoy a piece of this every morning. That crisp top layer, the fluffy middle. A piece of butter melting in between making every bite seem so sinful, yet - A bite of it will send you to heaven (exaggerating), but if you are a Bo Luo Bao lover like me, this is the place to be. Legend.
Kam Wah Cafe
47 Bute Street
Prince Edward
nearby MTR: Prince Edward/ Mong Kok
4. Macau Restaurant (4Hands)
Macau Restaurant made it to my list due to our affinity. A 茶餐厅 where i spent most of lunches during a work trip to Hong Kong. During lunch hour, the place will be thronged with locals, their fried rice, and the fried noodles are a must try. What stood out to me though are these two small offerings - the chicken pie and the egg tart. This unique chicken pie has a sweet crust, with fillings to match. The egg tart is one of the better ones i've eaten - eggy inside, flaky crust which condenses onto your tongue with every bite.
Macau Restaurant
25-27 Lock Road
Tsim Sha Tsui
nearby MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui
5. Tsui Wah Cafe (3Hands)
They have outlets throughout Hong Kong. Like other 茶餐厅, Tsui Wah serves a range of food local Hong Kong items, be it for breakfast or all the way till supper, there is an item for the meal. What i like best is their champagne milk tea. Presented in a bucket of ice, great tasting cold tea is filled up in a champagne like bottle. The idea is to drink the milk tea cold, but not lose its flavour to the melting ice. Another dish which i found surprisingly good is their fishball soup. Springy and authentic, i wonder if it is handmade or mass produced. Go try!
Tsui Wah Cafe (Many branches)
Harbour Crystal Centre
100 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
nearby MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui East
6. Joy Hin Roasted Meat (5Hands)
Located opposite Capital Cafe, lies this old looking shop stall. You see locals lining up, westerners in the queue and you'll also hear that familiar accent of 'lah' 'lor' and 'shiok'. Just a stall selling roasted meat. And, curiosity got the better of us as we joined the short queue and were promptly sitted in that cramped setting. We ordered a mix of roast(soy sauce chicken, roasted duck, roasted pork, roasted chicken), unknowing what to expect next. Under 5 mins, this delightable looking dish was served, and the rest was history. The soy sauce chicken and the duck were the best imo, it would really take something to beat its tenderness and flavour.
Joy Hin
Block C, 265-267 Hennessy Road
Wan Chai
nearby MTR: Wan Chai
7. Lin Heung Tea House (3Hands)
I understand that there are better dimsum places out there in Hong Kong, but Lin Heung Tea House comes into my list because of its symbol as that old school tradition dim sum joint. Witnessing how people rush to that poor old lady carting out freshly made dim sums, you step back and wonder how greedy people can be. On a whole, the spread was good, but as I found out, you have to be aggressive in order to pick up the good dishes from the push cart auntie. If you're a tad too slow, you'll have to wait for the next round or contend with the left overs.
The chicken legs and dumplings were nicely done. So too was that claypot rice which i missed taking a picture off. To dine here, is wholly to experience that authentic old school traditional way dim sums were sold during yester-years.
To note, go early as most of the good dim sums will be sold out by noon. Also, the queue can be quite crazy. It was only after my third visit to this place that I could finally try out the dim sums.
Lin Heung Tea House
160-164 Wellington Street, Central
nearby MTR: Central, Sheung Wan
8. 66 Hot Pot (4Hands)
I don't think hot pot is generally associated with food to try in Hong Kong, but I was brought to this place by a local ex-colleague, Janice. Hot pot here seems to differ from those back home. Firstly, a large pot full of stewed chicken (you can choose the meat i think) will be served. After 3/4 of the pot is finished, the waiter will then add in chicken stock and afterwhich the steamboat begins! From pork slices to vegetables and beancurd skin, the sides we ordered for the hot pot were all so fresh. A great meal among friends, gossips and catching ups.
66 Hot Pot (One of many branches)
Shop D
15-17 Pine Tree Road
Tsim Sha Tsui
nearby MTR: Jordan
9. Mido Cafe (3Hands)
More iconic than food here at Mido Cafe. A place to visit due to the sheer number of HK dramas being shot at this cafe. The rustic ambience aside, Mido Cafe does serve up good food. I'll normally come here for the hot lemon coke, while the tomato baked rice and their french toast are must tries in this cafe.
Mido Cafe
63 Temple Street
Yau Ma Tei
nearby MTR: Yau Ma Tei
10. Mak's Noodles (5Hands)
Every time I'm in Hong Kong, I'd visit this tiny shop at Parkes Street. What i love most is the prawn roe noodles as well as an order of a shrimp dumpling soup. Served in whole prawns, the shrimp dumping is better than many around Hong Kong. The shrimp roe noodle is mixed with the soup and oyster sauce. This combination will send your taste buds wild. How I am sitting here craving for this dish as I write. I guess there are many other noodle shops around, but this is the one for me. Any other good wanton noodles to recommend ?
Mak's Noodle
55 Parkes Street, Jordan
nearby MTR: Jordan
So here's my list of local food to try in Hong Kong. Do look out for my next post on new Hong Kong cafes and modern eats to try here in this metropolis of food and culture. How i am missing you already, Hong Kong.
Read my other post on things to do in Hong Kong other than shopping and eating yet? You may want to read further --> what else to do in hong kong
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Labels: foodie, hongkong, wanderlust
